Chapter 2 - Surprises

Zach and the social worker were invited to the living room. Zach I had only two bags that weren't very big. To think all his earthly possession could fit into 2 bags was almost scary. I took another look, a longer one that wasn't blurred by the fact he was 10 years older than I'd expected. He was really hot. He had piercing green eyes that looked as though he could see into your soul, he was tall, like Grant tall and he was muscular, well built. He only wore black, a black biker jacket, with a tight black shirt that hugged his torso well; he had black jeans and black biker boots. It suited him. He stood still in the foyer, not moving while the social worker and Rachel discussed the journey over here. Zach stayed stood where he was examining the area, judging it too himself. I'd been staring at him so much that he must have felt my gaze his eye landed on me. I was trapped, I couldn't pull myself away, he gave me a small smirk then turned to Matthew asking him where he should put his bags, Matthew took one of his bas and he and my father ascended the stairs to Zach's new room. I followed them with my eyes. Lily was at my side tugging on my leg. I looked down at her wide grey eyes; they were unusual for someone of her complexion.
"Yes sweetie?" I asked she pointed to the living room, where Rachel was laughing with the social worker. I rushed in taking Lily's hand in mine, I slapped on a smile and put on a polite act, it wasn't that I was a rude person I just always felt nervous around social workers, as if I did something wrong they'd take me away from my family. "Is there anything I could get you? Tea? Coffee? Water?" I asked addressing the social worker. She looked shocked; she'd probably done her background check on me, seen my upsetting past and thought I'd be a bitch, but no. I was as nice as pie.
"Yes, I'll have water please" I gave her a smile took Lily and headed to the kitchen. As I was leaving I heard the voice of a very impressed social worker
"What lovely children you have Mrs Morgan" she said with a chuckle.

I set Lily on the counter "Can I have an Oreo please" she asked, I gave her a look
"You've already had 6 since we got home Lil's" I felt bad turning her down but she'd thank me she gets to my age and conscious of her weight. Lily pouted but remained silent. I took a bottle of water from the fridge a glass form the glass from the cupboard and ice from the freezer. I put the ice and water into the glass took Lily back into the living room. I handed the glass to the social worker and stood awkwardly next to Rachel, while Lily sat on her lap. They continue talking and I learnt that Zach has moved care homes 8 times and has had over 15 different foster families look after him. He has an allergy to cats and peanuts. Zach and Matthew were still upstairs and I couldn't help but think about what they were talking about. I'm eyes drifted to the staircase. I heard laughter from his room.
"They seem to be getting on well," the social worker commented, "Well it's getting late I should probably go and let everyone settle in" she asked for Zach to come down so she could have a few words. Rachel asked me to bring him and Matthew down, I went upstairs nervously, I creeped to his down I could hear there talking I knocked gently on the down but loud enough to break them out of their conversation. I felt their eyes and internally cringed, I've never liked the spot light
"Um, the social workers leaving," I said awkwardly "She wants to say goodbye" Zach nodded and they both got up I lead the way back downstairs where The social worker personally said goodbye, she must have been his social worker a while she opened her arms expected a hug.
"I'll see you in 2 weeks, Zach" she said
He nodded and then added "Bye, Shirley" so she had a name, it was the first time I'd heard him speak his voice was deep and velvety.
Matthew opened the door and then he and Rachel waved her off as she drove away. They then closed the door and looked at our new family member. Lily was by my side and Zach was standing in the corner.
Rachel was the first to speak "Hi, my name is Rachel," she walked over to Lily and me "and this is Lily and Cammie" Zach only nodded in response. He wasn't much of a talker. "Um," Rachel was nervous "are you hungry? Thirsty?"
Zach then spoke "Yes Mrs Morgan" it was so formal, when I first met Rachel and Matthew I wasn't this polite. His attitude didn't fit his appearance.
Rachel let out a little laugh "Please, just call me Rachel" she then walked to the dining room and gestured him to follow, Matthew, Lily and I followed.
"I'll bring dinner out," Rachel looked at me "Cammie can you come help?"
It took me a while to respond but I then nodded adding "Of course" I needed answers about Zach, the main being his age!
I walked into the kitchen, "Mum! You said he was 7!" I angrily whispered. She looked at me with innocent eyes, she then said "I thought that too but then I re-read his file and I must have not seen the one in front of the seven."
I looked at her shock in my face "Clearly" I replied sourly
"I didn't think it would even matter!" she said defending herself, what was my problem?
"I just, I don't like surprises, you know that."
It's true she tried throwing me a surprise 13th birthday party I was so scared when I turned on the light and everyone jumped out screaming at me I punched Josh in the nose. I've never had a surprise party since.
"And anyway he seems nice" trying to put a positive spin on it. I then calmed, and picked up plates with food then carried them out into the dining room. I was balancing potatoes in one hand and carrots in the other. Matthew was at the head of the table; Zach was his right with Lily next to Zach on her booster seat. Lily must have gone upstairs because she was showing Zach a selection of her very "special" drawings, I could see Zach pointing at some and asking what they were, her answer was simple and the same as this morning "They're squiggles!" Zach chuckled; he seemed to be making a good impression on everyone.
I came through and Zach got up to help me by taking one the plates, his hand brushed mine and I felt a funny sensation up my arm. My faced reddened, and Zach smirked finding his new advantage over me. Shit. I thanked him and returned to the kitchen to get more plates. Rachel saw my face "Are you ok did something happen?" She sounded concerned but I shook her off "I'm fine" I lied.
Zach had followed me too the kitchen and was mirroring me picking up plates, I gave him a funny look and he smirked, leaving with the plates.
Rachel sighed in content. "I wish all foster kids could have his manners"
I rolled my eyes at her comment.
Rachel and I brought in the last of the plates, Rachel sat on the right of Matthew and I sat next to her, opposite Lily.

Matthew said the grace and then we all tucked into our meals, Rachel then piped up "So Zach, tell us a little about yourself," Zach stopped eating for a moment, swallowed his food, thinking what he should say next. A moment later he began speaking, "Well, I'm 17, I love football and basketball, my favourite colour is black," he looked down gesturing to his all black ensemble, he continued "I hate peanuts, I've never stayed in one place for more than 2 years, I have no none siblings and oh, I'm allergic to cats." Lily gasped her favourite animal were cats, her chances of having on now went from slim to invisible. Zach looked at her clearly confused for a moment but then went back to his dinner. I watched him but then started eating too, for a while there was silence among the table and the only sound were the old clock in the corner and the clanking of forks hitting plates.
Matthew then cleared his throat, "So, Zach" he started "You'll be attending Roseville High with Cammie, she'll show you around and the works," he stopped "I'm sure she'll make you feel very welcome." He finished giving me a stern look and I knew not to argue although I hadn't agreed to any of this. Zach looked at him gratefully, then his eyes focused on me and I instantly felt uncomfortable, "So, Cammie, do you have a boyfriend" it was a simple question but I just hadn't expected it, Matthew then looked as uncomfortable as I felt.
I found the courage to respond "No," I said plainly "not anymore"
Lily then finished for me "She doesn't like to talk about it" I gave her a glare
"Thanks, Lils" I said sarcastically. She clearly didn't understand my annoyance and ironically accepted my praise.

We spoke about various other things, I stayed silent, still annoyed by Zach's question, my ex boyfriend and I had a rough break up, I don't want to get into details but let's just say there was a lot of yelling, crying and ice cream. We finished dinner and I offered to do the dishes but Matthew and Rachel chose to do it, Lily ran to the living to claim the TV. I didn't mind so I hung back, Zach was ahead of me but turned back to face me,
"Hey, I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable back there" so he realised what he was doing but I pushed my thoughts aside, "It's fine, you weren't to know" I said accepting his apology, I wanted to end the matter but then Zach spoke again "It's just I wanted to check if someone as pretty as you had a boyfriend" I was shocked, I could feel my face reddening. God I must have looked like an idiot. I wanted to try and play it as cool as I could, considering my facial situation, "And why would you want to check that?" my knees felt funny and I thought I might fall, how embarrassing would that be. Zach smirked and came close "I needed to know how far I could go with you," I felt his minty breath on my face, "now I know there's no one stopping me". I thought I was dead, but then Zach turned away from my unmoving body and joined Lily in the living room. I went straight upstairs to my bed thinking about my previous encounter. Zach was defiantly a surprise but if all surprises were like that. I love surprises.